Women's Club looks out for Candia's neediest residents

By BRENDAN CLOGSTONUnion Leader Correspondent

CANDIA -- With the holiday season and winter well on their way, the Welfare department and the Candia Community Woman's Club are teaming up under the spirit of the season to make sure that Candia's neediest are not left behind.

As they do every year, the Candia Community Woman's Club will donate a food basket to applying families which includes a turkey dinner with potatoes and other sides. The basket is paid for out of the club's Food Pantry Fund, which in turn relies on donations from the community. The turkeys themselves come from two townspeople who have made the gift for years.

Along with the baskets, donated clothing and other gifts will be provided through the welfare department to the families, and particularly the children. The application, which also requires the family/recipient to provide their income, asks for the clothing size and interests of their children, helping the organizers to bring the youngsters not only winter clothing, but something a little more gratifying to their nascent interests: paint and pencils to the budding artists, craft sets for the young builders, and baseball gloves for the little players.

All applications and inquiries are strictly confident, being made through the town government and the welfare director. The Woman's Club themselves are not even aware of the names of their gift's recipients.

"We have decided that that's between the welfare director [Donna DelRosso] and her clients," said Candia Community Woman's Club Food Pantry Chair Linda McHugh. "We've chosen not to know who receives the baskets."

Instead, DelRosso will make up a list of family sizes based on the applications, and the club will put together the basket accordingly.

"It's a nice thing to do for people, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's just something that the Woman's Club has done for years," said McHugh. "We feel that it's a benefit to the community, so we've kept doing it."

Applications may be found in the Selectmen's offices and must be submitted back to that office by December 14. All gifts and donations must also be made by that date. Monetary gifts are accepted for the Christmas tree donations. The baskets and gifts will be ready by December 21.

If you know of any individuals or families "that could use a helping hand this holiday season," the Town of Candia welcomes you to call the town office at 483-8101. Any families that may have room their table for a guest are asked to call the town offices.

The Candia Community Woman's Club Food Pantry is open Monday 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM and Tuesday 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm. Proof of Candia residency is required. The pantry is located in the town offices at 74 High St.